Flow control apparatus for fluent magnetic materials



3,417,771 FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FLUENT MAGNETIC MATERIALS FiledSept. 24, 1965 H. ERNST Dec. 24, 1968 BY HANS smvsv 1 m t T. u my h 5 av 4 2 N s t w .Y 2 A 1 M Z M w 7 an... w. A -I h 2 I. fi m a w V FATTORNEY H. ERNST Dec. 24, 1968 FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FLUENTMAGNETIC MATERIALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 24, 1965 FIGS FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

HANS ERNST .12 1- 214M.

FIG. 7

ATTQ'RNEY United States Fatent C 3,417,771 FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS FORFLUENT MAGNETIC MATERIALS Hans Ernst, 1021 Eldoratlo Ave., Clearwater,Fla. 33515 Filed Sept. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 489,951 2 Claims. (Cl.137-81.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to control apparatusfor governing the flow or volume translation of a fluent material havingmagnetic properties.

Fluent materials are those capable of flowing, have no shape, andtherefore must be confined in ducts or channels to guide their path ofmovement during translation from place to place. Such materials may bedry, as metallic dust from tumbling operations, crushed ore and thelike; or they may be liquid of any viscosity, containing magneticparticles, such as iron. Thus all these materials have magneticproperties.

One of the objects of this invention is to take advantage of and toutilize the magnetic properties of a fluent material as one of theelements of the combination of means for controlling or modifying itsown movement and other characteristics.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate the use of movablemechanical valving or baffles inside a flow channel, as well as themechanical linkage thereto when the material being conveyed has magneticproperties by contriving a control system that is external of thechannel but influential within the channel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel controlapparatus for the purposes described which is simple in construction,effective in use, and lends itself to remote control.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readilyapparent by reference to the following specification, considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, andit is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exactstructural details there shown and described, within the scope of theappended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of theinvention.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate likeor similar parts;

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a reciprocable magnet forstopping and starting flow of a fluent material having magneticproperties.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an end view partly in section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE2.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view showing one form of a flow rate controlmechanism.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view showing another form of flow rate controlmechanism.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view of a flow rate and channel selectorcontrol mechanism.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view through a magnetic control valve.

FIGURE 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

In this invention, fluent materials having magnetic properties arecontemplated to include those materials which in their natural statecontain a large proportion of magnetizable particles and therefore thematerials have magnetic properties; and also those materials which intheir natural state have no magnetizable particles but to whichmagnetizable particles have been added to impart magnetic properties tothe material. The term magnetic has conflicting definitions, so as usedherein, it is intended to mean capable of being magnetized.

The control of volume translation of this class of materials involvesseveral functions such as starting, stopping, volume control, ratecontrol and selection of path of movement. The motivating force whicheffects the translatory movement may vary from gravity feed pressure tohigh pressures needed to utilize the material as a power medium. Anyoneof the functions recited can be effected by the use of a magneticcontrol Valve which comprises basically a magnet, either electrical ofpermanent, associated with a channel or passage in a manner that itsmagnetic field permeates said passage to magnetically intercept themagnetic particles in the approaching material. Thus the particles areinterrupted in their course and held.

It should be understood that these particles are relatively small, evenminute down to the class of powders and dust. It is contemplated thatsome may have a magnetic core covered by a non-magnetic coating. Byusing ultrafine particles, they may be adequately suspended in a viscousliquid to make it homogenerous.

A simple basic form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Thereference numeral 10 indicates a closed channel, such as a pipe orconduit, to the top of which is connected a suitable source of supply 11of a fluent material from which the material flows into the channel 10.At a suitable location along the channel 10 is a control stationindicated generally by the reference numeral 12, at which a magneticcontrol is mounted to control the function of stopping and starting theflow. In this form of the invention, a bifurcated permanent magnet 13,shown in FIG. 1, is mounted for reciprocation on suitable supportingmeans 14, to and from the channel 10. It will be obvious that when theopen end of the magnet 13 embraces the channel It as shown in FIG. 1,that a magnetic field 15 will be projected into the channel 10 throughwhich is flowing a fluent material having magnetic properties.

The magnetic field 15 functions to intercept, that is, to magnetize,attract, and hold the moving magnetic particles 16 of the material whenthe magnet is advanced to the position shown in FIG. 1. This actionclogs the channel, which in the process will stop the flow ofnon-magnetic particles as well, until the build-up stops the flowentirely. It will now be seen that the magnetic properties of thematerial cooperate with the magnet and its magnetic field to form acombination of means to initiate and stop the flow of material.

The magnet 13, having opposing north and south pole piece 17 and 18, isreciprocated to and from an active position, preferably by power meansrather than by manual means, such as solenoid 19. It has a plunger 20,connected at one end by a pin 21 to the magnet 13. A spring 22 workingagainst a fixed abutment 23 holds the plunger in an advanced positionagainst a stop 23a to stop the flow. By operation of the switch 24, thesolenoid is energized, and the magnet 13 is retracted against the stop23a to start the flow. Thus, when the power is oflt, the channel 3 isblocked. This is convenient when the system is shut down.

The effectiveness of this stopping operation will of course depend forone thing on the proportion of magnetic particles to non-magneticmaterial. Regardless of the proportions, however, if the magnetparticles are intercepted, that is stopped and held, it impedes theflow. It is also recognized of course, that the size of the crosssection of the channel and the strength of the magnetic field of magnet13 also plays an important part in this action.

Therefore it is obvious that there must be a prescribed relationshipbetween the cross sectional space in the channel and the strength of themagnetic field for the field to adequately and effectively magnetize theparticles as they enter the field. Thus the magnetized particles form orbuild up artificial poles on the inside of the channel. Other magneticmaterial is constantly being added as long as the flow continues, tobuild up these poles and bridge the channel, which stops the flowcompletely.

In any case, this results in the formation of a short section of frozenmaterial in the channel 10, as shown in FIG. 3, within the confines ofthe magnetic field 15 and held together by magnetic forces. Beingconfined in length by the extent of the magnetic field, this frozensection must also support the weight of the free material above it andbeyond the reach of the magnetic field when the flow is stopped.

With fuzzy, light, dry material, probably somewhat aerated, theattraction of the magnetic forces and the friction of the side walls ofthe tube 10 are sufficient to hold back the material without slippage.With more compact and heavier material, and especially frictionlessmaterial, such as oils and the like, these forces may not be sufiicient.

To aid in this situation, the interior of the tube may be 5- fitted witha short bushing 26, as shown in FIG. 3, just below the station 12, whichprovides a more positive support against slippage.

Strong electro-magnets may be utilized in place of permanent magnets,and controlled by conventional switches, when it is desired to eliminatemovable magnets. It may not be convenient to use a vertical channel withgravity feed, in which case the tube may be set at an angle, or evenhorizontal, and the source of supply pressurized sufficiently to effectflow. In some cases, suction may be resorted to.

Another function of the control of volume translation is determining therate of flow of these materials by use of their own magnetic properties.One form of rate control mechanism is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 4,comprising two independent magnetic control valves mounted in spacedrelation along the tube 10, the first valve comprising a pair ofelectro-magnets 28 and 29, and the second valve having a pair 30, 31. Inoperation,

the second pair 30, 31 are energized to stop the flow and thereby fillthe tube 10 above this point. Then the first pair 28, 29 are energizedto hold back or stop the flow at that point, and the second pairsimultaneously deenergized to release the material trapped between thetwo pairs so that it flows on as by gravity.

The cycle is repeated byagain energizing the magnets 30, 31 and thefirst pair simultaneously de-energized which again fills the interval oftube 10 between the two pairs of magnets. Thus by these alternateoperations, an intermittent feed is achieved.

An electrical control circuit for governing automatic a1- ternateoperation of these valves is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4. One endof the windings of the first pair of magnets 28, 29 is electricallyconnected in parallel by line 32 to brush 33 of a commutator 34. One endof the windings of the other pair of magnets 30, 31 are connected inparallel by line 35 to brush 36. The remaining ends of all the windingsare connected in parallel by line 37 to a power line 38.

Power rotation of the commutator is obtained by providing a conventionalpower driven reduction gear drive mechanism comprising a motor 39, aworm 40 and a worm gear 41 mounted on shaft 42. The shaft 42 bears thecommutator 34 having independent arcuate sections 43 and 44. The brush33 is shown riding in contact with the segment 44 which is insulatedfrom the shaft 42. The brush 36 is shown riding in conctact with thesegment 43. This segment is electrically connected to shaft 42. A line45 electrically connects shaft 42 to power main 46. In the position ofparts shown in FIG. 4, current flows from the power line 46 to brush 36and thus energizes magnets 30 and 31, which stops the flow in channel 10at that point. Since brush 33 is insulated, the magnets 28, 29 arede-energized. Upon rotation of the commutator 34, the brush 36eventually engages the insulated segment 44 and the brush 33 engages thepower segment 43. This results in the upper magnets 28 and 29 stoppingthe flow, and the lower magnets 30, 31 releasing the material trappedbetween the two pairs of magnets. Thus by continuous rotation of thecommutator, the cycle repeats and an intermittent feed is obtained.

Another form of automatic feed mechanism is diagrammatically shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, an electromagnet 57 having arms 58 and 59embracing the feed tube 10, is supported on the end of a swinging lever60, pivoted at 61 on a fixed support 62 at a control station. Aneccentric 63 is connected by link 64 to the lever 60. By driving theeccentric with a slow speed mechanism, indicated generally by numeral 65and of the same type as that shown in FIG. 4, the arm 60 is slowlyraised and lowered longitudinally of the tube 10. When the magnet coil57 is energized, it will stop the flow of material in the tuberegardless of its position. If this happens in the uppermost position ofthe lever 60, then when the lever is lowered, the material in the tubewill follow the lever down. But when the lever is reversed, the magnet57 quickly pulls away and releases a certain amount of material in thelower end of the tube due to the departure of the magnetic field. Thusby regulating the rate of rotation of the eccentric and the throw, therate of feed may be varied.

When it is desired to have a selection between a fast and a slow rate offlow, the channel 10 as shown in FIG. 7 may be provided with a narrowby-pass channel 66. The main branch 10a is provided with a magneticcontrol valve 67 and the by-pass channel 66, of smaller flow capacity,is provided with a magnetic control valve indicated generally by thereference numeral 68. These magnets are connected to a selector switch69 whereby a selection of rate may be made.

In other words, by blocking the fiow in the channel 10a by magnet 67,with the switch 69 in the full line position, the material is forced toflow through the narrow channel section 66, and therefore at a reducedrate. By throwing switch 69 to its dotted line position, the magnet 68blocks the by-pass 66, and magnet 67 is released to permit normallyfaster flow through channel section 10a. Thus same arrangement may beset up for selection of different paths of flow as shown in FIG. 7. Thisarrangement is particularly useful when the fluent material havingmagnetic properties is being pumped through the channel under pressurefor use as a power medium. In such a case, the branch channels 70 and 71are provided with magnetic control valves, indicated generally bynumerals 72 and 73 which may be alternately energized by switch 79 toselect the path of flow by blocking flow in the other channel. In thiscase the channels 70 and 71 are connected to opposite ends of a cylinder74, containing a piston 75. Thus selection of channels determines thedirection of movement of the piston.

The channels 70 and 71 are connected together to an exhaust channel 76.When the flow is coming into channel 70, a magnetic control valve 77 isenergized by switch 79 in its dotted line position to block the flowfrom channel 70 to exhaust; and the magnetic control valve 73 isenergized to block the incoming flow to channel 71. The exhaust fromcylinder 74 is now free to flow to channel 76.

On the other hand, if the flow in channel 71 is to be utilized, theswitch 79 is turned to its full line position to energize magneticcontrol valve 72 and block flow in channel 70, and also energizemagnetic control valve 80 to block exhaust flow from cylinder 74,whereby the piston is actuated in the opposite direction. Turning theswitch also released magnetic control valves 73 and 77, permittingexhaust from channel 70 and one end of cylinder 74, and permitting flowinto the other end of cylinder 74.

Positive stops 81 and 82 are provided for engagement by abutments 83carried by the piston 84 for positively limiting the movement of thepiston in either direction. These stops may be replaced by switches orother mechanical means to effect actuation of switch 79, therebyproviding continuous reciprocation of piston 75.

It is to be understood that the cylinder 74 and piston 75 may bereplaced by any other form of linear or rotary hydraulic motor, orpressure responsive device.

The magnetic control valves which have been shown diagrammatically inthe several views thus far, may be constructed as separate units forinsertion in a flow line. FIGS. 8 and 9 shows such a magnetic controlvalve comprising a block housing 85, made of non-magnetic material,having a central chamber 86 and a threaded inlet 87 and an outlet 88 atopposite ends thereof whereby the material may flow through the housing.A magnetizing coil 89 is mounted on top of the housing 85 and supportedon an iron core 90. The opposite ends of the core are thus of oppositepolarity when the coil is energized.

The chamber is sub-divided into sub-chambers 91 by several flat dividersor laminae 92 whereby the incoming flow is caused to divide and flowsimultaneously through the subcharnbers 91 and then collected to flowthrough the outlet 88. The laminae 92 are made of magnetic material, andalternate ones are connected to one pole 93 of the core 90 and theremainder of pole 94.

The path of flow of flux from each pole to the laminae is arranged so asto minimize loss or short circuit. Spacers of magnetic material 102 areplaced between the nonmagnetic cover 95' and the ends of the core tosupport the coil and core above the cover. Spacers 103 at the ends ofthe core 95 are also of magnetic material. The laminae on the right arestacked on the bolt 96 with spacers 97 of magnetic material betweenthem. The laminae on the left are stacked on the bolt 98 with similarspacers 99 between them. It will be noted that the laminae are shortenough that they do not extend to the other bolt. Spacers 100 ofnon-magnetic material are placed between the laminae to isolate themfrom each other because of their opposite polarity. Non-magnetic fillerpieces 101 are placed between the free ends of the laminae to isolatethem from the magnetic spacer blocks. The result is a plurality ofnarrow slots or sub-chambers 91, the opposite sides of which are ofopposite polarity. Since the space between a pair of sides is narrow, avery strong magnetic field can be created and due to the relativelylarge area in addition, almost instanteous stopping of flow can beobtained.

It will be noted that the bolts 96 and 98 are passed through the block85 and are threaded in the ends of the core 90 whereby the entireassembly is secured together.

It will be seen that the flux flows from the ends of the core throughthe bolts 96 and 98, the spacers 102, 103, 97 and 99 to the laminae tocreate the magnetic field.

There has thus been provided a new and improved apparatus forcontrolling the flow of fluent magnetic materials within a channel. Thefluent material may be selected to have characteristics suited to aparticular application. For instance graphite, oil, molybdenumdisulphide, tetrafluoroethylene, or nylon particles impregnated withmagnetic material could be used. The use of impregnated resilient solidmaterials permits elastic deformation thereof under pressure, therebyaiding in the complete blocking of flow when desired. Furthermore, thefluent medium may be selected to have electrically conductive propertiesalso and this is particularly advantageous to facilitate the pumpingaction in alternating current energized systems. In this case selfinduced fields in the fluent medium resulting from the impressedalternating magnetic field are generated.

The apparatus is designed to interact on the magnetic property of thematerial to effect interception of the flowing magnetic particles in thematerial and thus stop and hold them. This action progresses to thepoint that complete stoppage of flow is efiected. It is of coursecontemplated that demagnetizers can be used when the material isreleased to start flow again if found necessary for efiioient operation.Such a system has many advantages. There are no moving parts andtherefore no mechanical linkages to maintain and keep in. repair and thesystem lends itself to remote control and to miniaturization.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a channel for conducting flow of a fluent material, and a controlstation adjacent said channel, the combination with magnetic particlesin said material, of a permanent magnet embracing said channel to createa magnetic field therein to intercept said particles and stop flow,means normally biasing said magnet to its channel embracing position andmeans overcoming said biasing means to withdraw said magnet at will tostart the flow.

2. In a channel for conducting flow of a fluent material, and a controlstation adjacent said channel, the combination with magnetic particlesin said material, of a permanent magnet embracing said channel andcreating a magnetic field within said channel to intercept saidparticles, and means to oscillate said magnet with a component ofmovement generally parallel to said channel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,651,258 9/1953 Pierce 192-2152,415,376 2/1945 Strickland 103-1 2,447,312 8/1948 Burt 91-449 2,741,1214/1956 Raynsford 103-1 3,066,607 12/1962 Cole 103-1 3,071,154 1/1963Cargill et al. 137-815 3,219,851 11/1965 Kidwell 103-1 3,258,685 6/1966Horton 137-815 3,266,514 8/1966 Brooks 137-815 3,302,532 2/1967 Graham91-459 PAUL E. MASLOUSKY, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

